Computing Engineer

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, is a leading scientific research organization established to probe the fundamental structure of the universe. Founded in 1954, CERN employs thousands of physicists and engineers who work collaboratively to explore the basic constituents of matter using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments. The organization operates in multiple countries and is known for its groundbreaking research in particle physics, contributing significantly to our understanding of the fundamental laws of nature.

Job Overview:
The Computing Engineer position is situated within CERN's Compute and Devices Group, specifically in the Compute and Configuration section. This role is pivotal for managing the onsite High-Performance Compute (HPC) SLURM clusters, which are integral to various sectors within CERN, including the ATS sector and the Theory department. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of services related to these HPC clusters, acting as the primary service manager and technical lead. The role requires a proactive approach to service management, including gathering user requirements, configuring and upgrading clusters, and maintaining high utilization of resources. The engineer will also define best practices for operational support and collaborate with other teams to optimize compute resource management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Computing Engineer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Ensuring service delivery for the SLURM HPC clusters, acting as the primary service manager and technical lead.
• Serving as the escalation point for user support requests and gathering requirements from the user community.
• Configuring, upgrading, and monitoring the HPC clusters while providing ongoing maintenance.
• Ensuring high utilization of resources by interfacing with HTCondor brokered backfill of resources.
• Defining procedures and best practices for the wider team to enhance operational support coverage.
• Collaborating with team members and other teams to manage compute resources effectively and provide access to high-performance compute resources for the community.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience in Computer Science or a related field. Additionally, they should have support experience with HPC or batch systems, ideally with SLURM, although knowledge of HTCondor or similar systems is advantageous. A demonstrated understanding of configuration management systems such as Puppet, Chef, Ansible, or Terraform, as well as monitoring distributed systems, is essential. Knowledge of administration" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">system administration, particularly in Linux environments, is required, along with experience in user relations, user support, and user requirements definition. Proficiency in programming techniques and languages, especially Python or Go, is also necessary.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should have a Master's degree in Computer Science or a closely related field. This educational background provides the foundational knowledge necessary for understanding complex computing systems and the technical skills required for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have relevant experience in supporting HPC or batch systems, with a preference for those who have worked with SLURM. Experience with configuration management tools and system administration in Linux environments is also crucial. The role requires familiarity with user support and the ability to define user requirements effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory, and candidates should demonstrate a commitment to learning French, which is considered beneficial for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position offers a limited duration contract of 5 years, with the possibility of extension up to 8 years and eligibility for an indefinite contract tenure. The job requires a commitment of 40 hours per week, with hybrid working flexibility. Candidates should be prepared to work during nights, Sundays, and official holidays as required by the organization's needs. The job grade is classified as 6-7, and the reference for this position is IT-CD-CC-2026-64-LD. CERN offers a competitive, tax-free salary that increases with relevant experience, along with 30 days of paid leave per year, comprehensive health insurance, family allowances, and a relocation package depending on individual circumstances.